XVI
THERATTOTHERESCUE
Marcowalkedthroughthepassageandintothekitchenpartofthebasement。Thedoorswerealllocked，andtheyweresoliddoors。
Heranuptheflaggedstepsandfoundthedooratthetopshutandboltedalso，andthattoowasasoliddoor。Hisjailershadplainlymadesurethatitshouldtaketimeenoughforhimtomakehiswayintotheworld，evenafterhegotoutofthewine-cellar。
Thecathadrunawaytosomepartoftheplacewheremicewereplentiful。Marcowasbythistimerathergnawinglyhungryhimself。Ifhecouldgetintothekitchen，hemightfindsomefragmentsoffoodleftinacupboard；buttherewasnomovingthelockeddoor。Hetriedtheoutletintothearea，butthatwasimmov-able。Thenhesawnearitasmallerdoor。Itwasevidentlytheentrancetothecoal-cellarunderthepavement。
Thiswasprovedbythefactthattroddencoal-dustmarkedtheflagstones，andnearitstoodascuttlewithcoalinit。
Thiscoal-scuttlewasthethingwhichmighthelphim！Abovetheareadoorwasasmallwindowwhichwassupposedtolighttheentry。Hecouldnotreachit，and，ifhereachedit，hecouldnotopenit。Hecouldthrowpiecesofcoalattheglassandbreakit，andthenhecouldshoutforhelpwhenpeoplepassedby。
Theymightnotnoticeorunderstandwheretheshoutscamefromatfirst，but，ifhekeptthemup，someone\'sattentionwouldbeattractedintheend。
Hepickedalarge-sizedsolidpieceofcoaloutoftheheapinthescuttle，andthrewitwithallhisforceagainstthegrimyglass。Itsmashedthroughandleftabighole。Hethrewanother，andtheentirepanewassplinteredandfelloutsideintothearea。Thenhesawitwasbroaddaylight，andguessedthathehadbeenshutupagoodmanyhours。Therewasplentyofcoalinthescuttle，andhehadastrongarmandagoodaim。Hesmashedpaneafterpane，untilonlytheframeworkremained。Whenheshouted，therewouldbenothingbetweenhisvoiceandthestreet。
Noonecouldseehim，butifhecoulddosomethingwhichwouldmakepeopleslackentheirpacetolisten，thenhecouldcalloutthathewasinthebasementofthehousewiththebrokenwindow。
``Hallo！\'\'heshouted。``Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！\'\'
Butvehicleswerepassinginthestreet，andthepassers-bywereabsorbedintheirownbusiness。Iftheyheardasound，theydidnotstoptoinquireintoit。
``Hallo！Hallo！Iamlockedin！\'\'yelledMarco，atthetopmostpowerofhislungs。``Hallo！Hallo！\'\'
Afterhalfanhour\'sshouting，hebegantothinkthathewaswastinghisstrength。
``Theyonlythinkitisaboyshouting，\'\'hesaid。``Someonewillnoticeintime。Atnight，whenthestreetsarequiet，I
mightmakeapolicemanhear。ButmyfatherdoesnotknowwhereIam。Hewillbetryingtofindme——sowillLazarus——sowillTheRat。Oneofthemmightpassthroughthisverystreet，asIdid。
WhatcanIdo！\'\'
Anewideaflashedlightuponhim。
``IwillbegintosingaSamaviansong，andIwillsingitveryloud。Peoplenearlyalwaysstopamomenttolistentomusicandfindoutwhereitcomesfrom。Andifanyofmyownpeoplecamenear，theywouldstopatonce——andnowandthenIwillshoutforhelp。\'\'
OncewhentheyhadstoppedtorestonHampsteadHeath，hehadsungavaliantSamaviansongforTheRat。TheRathadwantedtohearhowhewouldsingwhentheywentontheirsecretjourney。
HewantedhimtosingfortheSquadsomeday，tomakethethingseemreal。TheRathadbeengreatlyexcited，andhadbeggedforthesongoften。Itwasastirringmartialthingwithasortoftrumpetcallofachorus。ThousandsofSamavianshadsungittogetherontheirwaytothebattle-field，hundredsofyearsago。
Hedrewbackasteporso，and，puttinghishandsonhiships，begantosing，throwinghisvoiceupwardthatitmightpassthroughthebrokenwindow。Hehadasplendidandvibrantyoungvoice，thoughheknewnothingofitsfinequality。Justnowhewantedonlytomakeitloud。
Inthestreetoutsideveryfewpeoplewerepassing。Anirritableoldgentlemanwhowastakinganinvalidwalkquitejumpedwithannoyancewhenthesongsuddenlytrumpetedforth。Boyshadnorighttoyellinthatmanner。Hehurriedhissteptogetawayfromthesound。Twoorthreeotherpeopleglancedovertheirshoulders，buthadnottimetoloiter。Afewotherslistenedwithpleasureastheydrewnearandpassedon。
``There\'saboywithafinevoice，\'\'saidone。
``What\'shesinging？\'\'saidhiscompanion。``Itsoundsforeign。\'\'
``Don\'tknow，\'\'wasthereplyastheywentby。Butatlastayoungmanwhowasamusic-teacher，goingtogivealesson，hesitatedandlookedabouthim。Thesongwasveryloudandspiritedjustatthismoment。Themusic-teachercouldnotunderstandwhereitcamefrom，andpausedtofindout。Thefactthathestoppedattractedtheattentionofthenextcomer，whoalsopaused。
``Who\'ssinging？\'\'heasked。``Whereishesinging？\'\'
``Ican\'tmakeout，\'\'themusic-teacherlaughed。``Soundsasifitcameoutoftheground。\'\'
And，becauseitwasqueerthatasongshouldseemtobecomingoutoftheground，acostermongerstopped，andthenalittleboy，andthenaworkingwoman，andthenalady。
Therewasquitealittlegroupwhenanotherpersonturnedthecornerofthestreet。Hewasashabbyboyoncrutches，andhehadafranticlookonhisface。
AndMarcoactuallyheard，ashedrewneartothegroup，thetap-tap-tapofcrutches。
``Itmightbe，\'\'hethought。``Itmightbe！\'\'
Andhesangthetrumpet-callofthechorusasifitweremeanttoreachtheskies，andhesangitagainandagain。Andattheendofitshouted，``Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！Hallo！\'\'
TheRatswunghimselfintothegroupandlookedasifhehadgonecrazy。Hehurledhimselfagainstthepeople。
``Whereishe！Whereishe！\'\'hecried，andhepouredoutsomebreathlesswords；itwasalmostasifhesobbedthemout。
``We\'vebeenlookingforhimallnight！\'\'heshouted。``Whereishe！Marco！Marco！Nooneelsesingsitbuthim。Marco！
Marco！\'\'Andoutofthearea，asitseemed，cameashoutofanswer。
``Rat！Rat！I\'mhereinthecellar——lockedin。I\'mhere！\'\'andabigpieceofcoalcamehurtlingthroughthebrokenwindowandfellcrashingontheareaflags。TheRatgotdownthestepsintotheareaasifhehadnotbeenoncrutchesbutonlegs，andbangedonthedoor，shoutingback：
``Marco！Marco！HereIam！Wholockedyouin？HowcanIgetthedooropen？\'\'
Marcowascloseagainstthedoorinside。ItwasTheRat！ItwasTheRat！Andhewouldbeinthestreetagaininafewminutes。
``Callapoliceman！\'\'heshoutedthroughthekeyhole。``Thepeoplelockedmeinonpurposeandtookawaythekeys。\'\'
Thenthegroupoflookers-onbegantogetexcitedandpressagainstthearearailingsandaskquestions。Theycouldnotunderstandwhathadhappenedtocausetheboywiththecrutchestolookasifhewerecrazywithterrorandreliefatthesametime。
Andthelittleboyrandelightedlytofetchapoliceman，andfoundoneinthenextstreet，and，withsomedifficulty，persuadedhimthatitwashisbusinesstocomeandgetadooropeninanemptyhousewhereaboywhowasastreetsingerhadgotlockedupinacellar。
XVII
``ITISAVERYBADSIGN\'\'
Thepolicemanwasnotsomuchexcitedasoutoftemper。HedidnotknowwhatMarcokneworwhatTheRatknew。Somecommonladhadgothimselflockedupinahouse，andsomeonewouldhavetogotothelandlordandgetakeyfromhim。Hehadnointentionoflayinghimselfopentothelawbybreakingintoaprivatehousewithhistruncheon，asTheRatexpectedhimtodo。
``Hegothimselfinthroughsomeofhislarks，andhe\'llhavetowaittillhe\'sgotoutwithoutsmashinglocks，\'\'hegrowled，shakingtheareadoor。``Howdidyougetinthere？\'\'heshouted。
ItwasnoteasyforMarcotoexplainthroughakeyholethathehadcomeintohelpaladywhohadmetwithanaccident。Thepolicemanthoughtthismereboy\'stalk。Astotherestofthestory，Marcoknewthatitcouldnotberelatedatallwithoutsayingthingswhichcouldnotbeexplainedtoanyonebuthisfather。Hequicklymadeuphismindthathemustletitbebelievedthathehadbeenlockedinbysomequeeraccident。Itmustbesupposedthatthepeoplehadnotremembered，intheirhaste，thathehadnotyetleftthehouse。
Whentheyoungclerkfromthehouseagencycamewiththekeys，hewasmuchdisturbedandbewilderedafterhegotinside。
``They\'vemadeaboltofit，\'\'hesaid。``Thathappensnowandthen，butthere\'ssomethingqueeraboutthis。Whatdidtheylockthesedoorsinthebasementfor，andtheoneonthestairs？Whatdidtheysaytoyou？\'\'heaskedMarco，staringathimsuspiciously。
``Theysaidtheywereobligedtogosuddenly，\'\'Marcoanswered。
``Whatwereyoudoinginthebasement？\'\'
``Themantookmedown。\'\'
``Andleftyouthereandbolted？Hemusthavebeeninahurry。\'\'
``Theladysaidtheyhadnotamoment\'stime。\'\'
``Heranklemusthavegotwellinshortorder，\'\'saidtheyoungman。
``Iknewnothingaboutthem，\'\'answeredMarco。``Ihadneverseenthembefore。\'\'
``Thepolicewereafterthem，\'\'theyoungmansaid。``That\'swhatIshouldsay。Theypaidthreemonths\'rentinadvance，andtheyhaveonlybeenheretwo。SomeoftheseforeignspieslurkingaboutLondon；that\'swhattheywere。\'\'
TheRathadnotwaiteduntilthekeysarrived。HehadswunghimselfathisswiftestpacebackthroughthestreetstoNo。7
PhilibertPlace。Peopleturnedandstaredathiswildpalefaceashealmostshotpastthem。
Hehadlefthimselfbarelybreathenoughtospeakwithwhenhereachedthehouseandbangedonthedoorwithhiscrutchtosavetime。
BothLoristanandLazaruscametoanswer。
TheRatleanedagainstthedoorgasping。
``He\'sfound！He\'sallright！\'\'hepanted。``Someonehadlockedhiminahouseandlefthim。They\'vesentforthekeys。
I\'mgoingback。BrandonTerrace，No。10。\'\'
LoristanandLazarusexchangedglances。BothofthemwereatthemomentaspaleasTheRat。
``Helphimintothehouse，\'\'saidLoristantoLazarus。``Hemuststayhereandrest。Wewillgo。\'\'TheRatknewitwasanorder。
Hedidnotlikeit，butheobeyed。
``Thisisabadsign，Master，\'\'saidLazarus，astheywentouttogether。
``Itisaverybadone，\'\'answeredLoristan。
``GodoftheRight，defendus！\'\'Lazarusgroaned。
``Amen！\'\'saidLoristan。``Amen！\'\'
ThegrouphadbecomeasmallcrowdbythetimetheyreachedBrandonTerrace。Marcohadnotfounditeasytoleavetheplacebecausehewasbeingquestioned。Neitherthepolicemannortheagent\'sclerkseemedwillingtorelinquishtheideathathecouldgivethemsomeinformationabouttheabscondingpair。
TheentranceofLoristanproduceditsusualeffect。Theagent\'sclerkliftedhishat，andthepolicemanstoodstraightandmadesalute。Neitherofthemrealizedthatthetallman\'sclotheswerewornandthreadbare。Theyfeltonlythatapersonagewasbeforethem，andthatitwasnotpossibletoquestionhisairofabsoluteandsereneauthority。HelaidhishandonMarco\'sshoulderandhelditthereashespoke。WhenMarcolookedupathimandfelttheclosenessofhistouch，itseemedasifitwereanembrace——asifhehadcaughthimtohisbreast。
``Myboyknewnothingofthesepeople，\'\'hesaid。``ThatIcanguarantee。Hehadseenneitherofthembefore。Hisenteringthehousewastheresultofnoboyishtrick。Hehasbeenshutupinthisplacefornearlytwenty-fourhoursandhashadnofood。I
musttakehimhome。Thisismyaddress。\'\'Hehandedtheyoungmanacard。
Thentheywenthometogether，andallthewaytoPhilibertPlaceLoristan\'sfirmhandheldcloselytohisboy\'sshoulderasifhecouldnotenduretolethimgo。Butonthewaytheysaidverylittle。
``Father，\'\'Marcosaid，ratherhoarsely，whentheyfirstgotawayfromthehouseintheterrace，``Ican\'ttalkwellinthestreet。
Foronething，Iamsogladtobewithyouagain。Itseemedasif——itmightturnoutbadly。\'\'
``Belovedone，\'\'LoristansaidthewordsintheirownSamavian，``untilyouarefedandatrest，youshallnottalkatall。\'\'
Afterward，whenhewashimselfagainandwasallowedtotellhisstrangestory，MarcofoundthatbothhisfatherandLazarushadatoncehadsuspicionswhenhehadnotreturned。Theyknewnoordinaryeventcouldhavekepthim。Theyweresurethathemusthavebeendetainedagainsthiswill，andtheywerealsosurethat，ifhehadbeensodetained，itcouldonlyhavebeenforreasonstheycouldguessat。
``Thiswasthecardthatshegaveme，\'\'Marcosaid，andhehandedittoLoristan。``Shesaidyouwouldrememberthename。\'\'
Loristanlookedattheletteringwithanironichalf-smile。
``Ineverhearditbefore，\'\'hereplied。``ShewouldnotsendmeanameIknew。ProbablyIhaveneverseeneitherofthem。ButI
knowtheworktheydo。TheyarespiesoftheMaranovitch，andsuspectthatIknowsomethingoftheLostPrince。Theybelievedtheycouldterrifyyouintosayingthingswhichwouldbeaclue。
Menandwomenoftheirclasswillusedesperatemeanstogaintheirend。\'\'
``Mightthey——haveleftmeastheythreatened？\'\'Marcoaskedhim。
``Theywouldscarcelyhavedared，Ithink。Toogreatahueandcrywouldhavebeenraisedbythediscoveryofsuchacrime。Toomanydetectiveswouldhavebeensetatworktotrackthem。\'\'
Butthelookinhisfather\'seyesashespoke，andthepressureofthehandhestretchedouttotouchhim，madeMarco\'sheartthrill。Hehadwonanewloveandtrustfromhisfather。Whentheysattogetherandtalkedthatnight，theywereclosertoeachother\'ssoulsthantheyhadeverbeenbefore。
Theysatinthefirelight，Marcouponthewornhearth-rug，andtheytalkedaboutSamavia——aboutthewaranditsheart-rendingstruggles，andabouthowtheymightend。
``Doyouthinkthatsometimewemightbeexilesnolonger？\'\'theboysaidwistfully。``Doyouthinkwemightgotheretogether——andseeit——youandI，Father？\'\'
Therewasasilenceforawhile。Loristanlookedintothesinkingbedofredcoal。
``Foryears——foryearsIhavemadeformysoulthatimage，\'\'hesaidslowly。``WhenIthinkofmyfriendonthesideoftheHimalayanMountains，Isay，`TheThoughtwhichThoughttheWorldmaygiveusthatalso！\'\'\'
XVIII
``CITIESANDFACES\'\'
ThehoursofMarco\'sunexplainedabsencehadbeenterribletoLoristanandtoLazarus。Theyhadreasonforfearswhichitwasnotpossibleforthemtoexpress。Asthenightdrewon，thefearstookstrongerform。TheyforgottheexistenceofTheRat，whosatbitinghisnailsinthebedroom，afraidtogooutlesthemightlosethechanceofbeinggivensomeerrandtodobutalsoafraidtoshowhimselflestheshouldseemintheway。
``I\'llstayupstairs，\'\'hehadsaidtoLazarus。``Ifyoujustwhistle，I\'llcome。\'\'
TheanguishhepassedthroughasthedaywentbyandLazaruswentoutandcameinandhehimselfreceivednoorders，couldnothavebeenexpressedinanyordinarywords。Hewrithedinhischair，hebithisnailstothequick，hewroughthimselfintoafrenzyofmiseryandterrorbyrecallingonebyoneallthecrimeshisknowledgeofLondonpolice-courtssuppliedhimwith。
Hewasdoingnothing，yethedarenotleavehispost。Itwashispostafterall，thoughtheyhadnotgivenittohim。Hemustdosomething。
InthemiddleofthenightLoristanopenedthedoorofthebacksitting-room，becauseheknewhemustatleastgoupstairsandthrowhimselfuponhisbedevenifhecouldnotsleep。
Hestartedbackasthedooropened。TheRatwassittinghuddledonthefloornearitwithhisbackagainstthewall。Hehadapieceofpaperinhishandandhistwistedfacewasaweirdthingtosee。
``Whyareyouhere？\'\'Loristanasked。
``I\'vebeenherethreehours，sir。Iknewyou\'dhavetocomeoutsometimeandIthoughtyou\'dletmespeaktoyou。Willyou——
willyou？\'\'
``Comeintotheroom，\'\'saidLoristan。``Iwilllistentoanythingyouwanttosay。Whathaveyoubeendrawingonthatpaper？\'\'asTheRatgotupinthewonderfulwayhehadtaughthimself。Thepaperwascoveredwithlineswhichshowedittobeanotherofhisplans。
``Pleaselookatit，\'\'hebegged。``Idaren\'tgooutlestyoumightwanttosendmesomewhere。Idaren\'tsitdoingnothing。I
beganrememberingandthinkingthingsout。IputdownallthestreetsandsquaresheMIGHThavewalkedthroughonhiswayhome。
I\'venotmissedone。Ifyou\'llletmestartoutandwalkthrougheveryoneofthemandtalktothepolicemenonthebeatandlookatthehouses——andthinkoutthingsandworkatthem——I\'llnotmissaninch——I\'llnotmissabrickoraflagstone——I\'ll——\'\'Hisvoicehadahardsoundbutitshook，andhehimselfshook。
Loristantouchedhisarmgently。
``Youareagoodcomrade，\'\'hesaid。``Itiswellforusthatyouarehere。Youhavethoughtofagoodthing。\'\'
``MayIgonow？\'\'saidTheRat。
``Thismoment，ifyouareready，\'\'wastheanswer。TheRatswunghimselftothedoor。
Loristansaidtohimathingwhichwaslikethesuddenlightingofagreatlightintheverycenterofhisbeing。
``Youareoneofus。NowthatIknowyouaredoingthisImayevensleep。Youareoneofus。\'\'AnditwasbecausehewasfollowingthisplanthatTheRathadturnedintoBrandonTerraceandheardtheSamaviansongringingoutfromthelockedbasementofNumber10。
``Yes，heisoneofus，\'\'Loristansaid，whenhetoldthispartofthestorytoMarcoastheysatbythefire。``Ihadnotbeensurebefore。Iwantedtobeverysure。LastnightIsawintothedepthsofhimandKNEW。Hemaybetrusted。\'\'
FromthatdayTheRatheldanewplace。Lazarushimself，strangelyenough，didnotresenthisholdingit。TheboywasallowedtobenearLoristanashehadneverdaredtohopetobenear。Itwasnotmerelythathewasallowedtoservehiminmanyways，buthewastakenintotheintimacywhichhadbeforeenclosedonlythethree。LoristantalkedtohimashetalkedtoMarco，drawinghimwithinthecirclewhichheldsomuchthatwascomprehendedwithoutspeech。TheRatknewthathewasbeingtrainedandobservedandherealizeditwithexaltation。Hisidolhadsaidthathewas``oneofthem\'\'andhewaswatchingandputtinghimtotestssothathemightfindouthowmuchhewasoneofthem。Andhewasdoingitforsomegravereasonofhisown。ThisthoughtpossessedTheRat\'swholemind。Perhapshewaswonderingifheshouldfindoutthathewastobetrusted，asarockistobetrusted。Thatheshouldeventhinkthatperhapshemightfindthathewaslikearock，wasinspirationenough。
``Sir，\'\'hesaidonenightwhentheywerealonetogether，becauseTheRathadbeencopyingaroad-map。Hisvoicewasverylow——
``doyouthinkthat——sometime——youcouldtrustmeasyoutrustMarco？Coulditeverbelikethat——ever？\'\'
``Thetimehascome，\'\'andLoristan\'svoicewasalmostaslowashisown，thoughstronganddeepfeelingunderlayitsquiet——
``thetimehascomewhenIcantrustyouwithMarco——tobehiscompanion——tocareforhim，tostandbyhissideatanymoment。
AndMarcois——Marcoismyson。\'\'ThatwasenoughtoupliftTheRattotheskies。Buttherewasmoretofollow。
``Itmaynotbelongbeforeitmaybehisparttodoworkinwhichhewillneedacomradewhocanbetrusted——asarockcanbetrusted。\'\'
HehadsaidtheverywordsTheRat\'sownmindhadgiventohim。
``ARock！ARock！\'\'theboybrokeout。``Letmeshowyou，sir。
Sendmewithhimforaservant。Thecrutchesarenothing。
You\'veseenthatthey\'reasgoodaslegs，haven\'tyou？I\'vetrainedmyself。\'\'
``Iknow，Iknow，dearlad。\'\'Marcohadtoldhimallofit。Hegavehimagracioussmilewhichseemedasifitheldasortoffinesecret。``Youshallgoashisaide-de-camp。Itshallbepartofthegame。\'\'
Hehadalwaysencouraged``thegame，\'\'andduringthelastweekshadevenfoundtimetohelpthemintheirplanningsforthemysteriousjourneyoftheSecretTwo。HehadbeensointerestedthatonceortwicehehadcalledonLazarusasanoldsoldierandSamaviantogivehisopinionsofcertainroutes——andofthecustomsandhabitsofpeopleintownsandvillagesbytheway。
Heretheywouldfindsimplepastoralfolkwhodanced，sangaftertheirday\'swork，andwhowouldtellalltheyknew；heretheywouldfindthosewhoservedorfearedtheMaranovitchandwhowouldnottalkatall。Inoneplacetheywouldmeetwithhospitality，inanotherwithunfriendlysuspicionofallstrangers。ThroughtalkandstoriesTheRatbegantoknowthecountryalmostasMarcoknewit。Thatwaspartofthegametoo——becauseitwasalways``thegame，\'\'theycalledit。AnotherpartwasTheRat\'strainingofhismemory，andbringinghomehisproofsofadvanceatnightwhenhereturnedfromhiswalkandcoulddescribe，orrecite，orroughlysketchallhehadseeninhispassagefromoneplacetoanother。Marco\'spartwastorecallandsketchfaces。Loristanonenightgavehimanumberofphotographsofpeopletocommittomemory。Undereachfacewaswrittenthenameofaplace。
``Learnthesefaces，\'\'hesaid，``untilyouwouldknoweachoneofthematoncewheresoeveryoumetit。Fixthemuponyourmind，sothatitwillbeimpossibleforyoutoforgetthem。Youmustbeabletosketchanyoneofthemandrecallthecityortownorneighborhoodconnectedwithit。\'\'
Eventhiswasstillcalled``thegame，\'\'butMarcobegantoknowinhissecretheartthatitwassomuchmore，thathishandsometimestrembledwithexcitementashemadehissketchesoverandoveragain。Tomakeeachonemanytimeswasthebestwaytoimbeditinhismemory。TheRatknew，too，thoughhehadnoreasonforknowing，butmereinstinct。HeusedtolieawakeinthenightandthinkitoverandrememberwhatLoristanhadsaidofthetimecomingwhenMarcomightneedacomradeinhiswork。
Whatwashisworktobe？Itwastobesomethinglike``thegame。\'\'Andtheywerebeingpreparedforit。AndthoughMarcooftenlayawakeonhisbedwhenTheRatlayawakeonhissofa，neitherboyspoketotheotherofthethinghisminddwelton。
AndMarcoworkedashehadneverworkedbefore。Thegamewasveryexcitingwhenhecouldprovehisprowess。Thefourgatheredtogetheratnightinthebacksitting-room。Lazaruswasobligedtobewiththembecauseasecondjudgewasneeded。Loristanwouldmentionthenameofaplace，perhapsastreetinParisorahotelinVienna，andMarcowouldatoncemakearapidsketchofthefaceunderwhosephotographthenameofthelocalityhadbeenwritten。Itwasnotlongbeforehecouldbeginhissketchwithoutmorethanamoment\'shesitation。Andyetevenwhenthishadbecomethecase，theystillplayedthegamenightafternight。TherewasagreathotelnearthePlacedelaConcordeinParis，ofwhichMarcofeltheshouldneverhearthenameduringallhislifewithouttherestartingupbeforehismentalvisionatallwomanwithfierceblackeyesandadelicatehigh-bridgednoseacrosswhichthestrongeyebrowsalmostmet。InViennatherewasapalacewhichwouldalwaysbringbackatonceapalecold-facedmanwithaheavyblondelockwhichfelloverhisforehead。AcertainstreetinMunichmeantastoutgenialoldaristocratwithaslysmile；avillageinBavaria，apeasantwithavacantandsimplecountenance。Acurledandsmoothedmanwholookedlikeahair-dresserbroughtupaplaceinanAustrianmountaintown。HeknewthemallasheknewhisownfaceandNo。
7PhilibertPlace。
Butstillnightafternightthegamewasplayed。
Thencameanightwhen，outofadeepsleep，hewasawakenedbyLazarustouchinghim。Hehadsolongbeensecretlyreadytoansweranycallthathesatupstraightinbedatthefirsttouch。
``Dressquicklyandcomedownstairs，\'\'Lazarussaid。``ThePrinceishereandwishestospeakwithyou。\'\'
Marcomadenoanswerbutgotoutofbedandbegantosliponhisclothes。
LazarustouchedTheRat。
TheRatwasasreadyasMarcoandsatuprightashehaddone。
``ComedownwiththeyoungMaster，\'\'hecommanded。``Itisnecessarythatyoushouldbeseenandspokento。\'\'Andhavinggiventheorderhewentaway。
Nooneheardtheshoelessfeetofthetwoboysastheystoledownthestairs。
Anelderlymaninordinaryclothes，butwithanunmistakableface，wassittingquietlytalkingtoLoristanwhowithagesturecalledbothforward。
``ThePrincehasbeenmuchinterestedinwhatIhavetoldhimofyourgame，\'\'hesaidinhislowestvoice。``Hewishestoseeyoumakeyoursketches，Marco。\'\'
MarcolookedverystraightintothePrince\'seyeswhichwerefixedintentlyonhimashemadehisbow。
``HisHighnessdoesmehonor，\'\'hesaid，ashisfathermighthavesaidit。Hewenttothetableatonceandtookfromadrawerhispencilsandpiecesofcardboard。
``IshouldknowhewasyoursonandaSamavian，\'\'thePrinceremarked。
Thenhiskeenanddeep-seteyesturnedthemselvesontheboywiththecrutches。
``This，\'\'saidLoristan，``istheonewhocallshimselfTheRat。
Heisoneofus。\'\'
TheRatsaluted。
``Pleasetellhim，sir，\'\'hewhispered，``thatthecrutchesdon\'tmatter。\'\'
``Hehastrainedhimselftoanextraordinaryactivity，\'\'Loristansaid。``Hecandoanything。\'\'
ThekeeneyeswerestilltakingTheRatin。
``Theyareanadvantage，\'\'saidthePrinceatlast。
Lazarushadnailedtogetheralight，rougheaselwhichMarcousedinmakinghissketcheswhenthegamewasplayed。Lazaruswasstandinginstateatthedoor，andhecameforward，broughttheeaselfromitscorner，andarrangedthenecessarydrawingmaterialsuponit。
Marcostoodnearitandwaitedthepleasureofhisfatherandhisvisitor。Theywerespeakingtogetherinlowtonesandhewaitedseveralminutes。WhatTheRatnoticedwaswhathehadnoticedbefore——thatthebigboycouldstandstillinperfecteaseandsilence。Itwasnotnecessaryforhimtosaythingsortoaskquestions——tolookatpeopleasifhefeltrestlessiftheydidnotspeaktoornoticehim。Hedidnotseemtorequirenotice，andTheRatfeltvaguelythat，youngashewas，thisveryfreedomfromanyanxietytobelookedatoraddressedmadehimsomehowlooklikeagreatgentleman。
LoristanandthePrinceadvancedtowherehestood。
``L\'HoteldeMarigny，\'\'Loristansaid。
Marcobegantosketchrapidly。Hebegantheportraitofthehandsomewomanwiththedelicatehigh-bridgednoseandtheblackbrowswhichalmostmet。Ashedidit，thePrincedrewnearerandwatchedtheworkoverhisshoulder。Itdidnottakeverylongand，whenitwasfinished，theinspectorturned，andaftergivingLoristanalongandstrangelook，noddedtwice。
``Itisaremarkablething，\'\'hesaid。``Inthatroughsketchsheisnottobemistaken。\'\'
Loristanbenthishead。
Thenhementionedthenameofanotherstreetinanotherplace——andMarcosketchedagain。Thistimeitwasthepeasantwiththesimpleface。ThePrincebowedagain。ThenLoristangaveanothername，andafterthatanotherandanother；andMarcodidhisworkuntilitwasatanend，andLazarusstoodnearwithahandfulofsketcheswhichhehadsilentlytakenchargeofaseachwaslaidaside。
``Youwouldknowthesefaceswheresoeveryousawthem？\'\'saidthePrince。``IfyoupassedoneinBondStreetorintheMaryleboneRoad，youwouldrecognizeitatonce？\'\'
``AsIknowyours，sir，\'\'Marcoanswered。
Thenfollowedanumberofquestions。Loristanaskedthemashehadoftenaskedthembefore。Theywerequestionsastotheheightandbuildoftheoriginalsofthepictures，ofthecoloroftheirhairandeyes，andtheorderoftheircomplexions。
Marcoansweredthemall。Heknewallbutthenamesofthesepeople，anditwasplainlynotnecessarythatheshouldknowthem，ashisfatherhadneverutteredthem。
AfterthisquestioningwasatanendthePrincepointedtoTheRatwhohadleanedonhiscrutchesagainstthewall，hiseyesfiercelyeagerlikeaferret\'s。
``Andhe？\'\'thePrincesaid。``Whatcanhedo？\'\'
``Letmetry，\'\'saidTheRat。``Marcoknows。\'\'
Marcolookedathisfather。
``MayIhelphimtoshowyou？\'\'heasked。
``Yes，\'\'Loristananswered，andthen，asheturnedtothePrince，hesaidagaininhislowvoice：``HEISONEOFUS。\'\'
ThenMarcobegananewformofthegame。HehelduponeofthepicturedfacesbeforeTheRat，andTheRatnamedatoncethecityandplaceconnectedwithit，hedetailedthecolorofeyesandhair，theheight，thebuild，allthepersonaldetailsasMarcohimselfhaddetailedthem。Totheseheaddeddescriptionsofthecities，andpointsconcerningthepolicesystem，thepalaces，thepeople。Hisfacetwisteditself，hiseyesburned，hisvoiceshook，buthewasamazinginhisreadinessofreplyandhisexactnessofmemory。
``Ican\'tdraw，\'\'hesaidattheend。``ButIcanremember。I
didn\'twantanyonetobebotheredwiththinkingIwastryingtolearnit。SoonlyMarcoknew。\'\'
ThishesaidtoLoristanwithappealinhisvoice。
``Itwashewhoinvented`thegame，\'\'\'saidLoristan。``I
showedyouhisstrangemapsandplans。\'\'
``Itisagoodgame，\'\'thePrinceansweredinthemannerofamanextraordinarilyinterestedandimpressed。``Theyknowitwell。
Theycanbetrusted。\'\'
``Nosuchthinghaseverbeendonebefore，\'\'Loristansaid。``Itisasnewasitisdaringandsimple。\'\'
``Thereinliesitssafety，\'\'thePrinceanswered。
``Perhapsonlyboyhood，\'\'saidLoristan，``couldhavedaredtoimagineit。\'\'
``ThePrincethanksyou，\'\'hesaidafterafewmorewordsspokenasidetohisvisitor。``Weboththankyou。Youmaygobacktoyourbeds。\'\'
Andtheboyswent。
XIX
``THATISONE！\'\'
AweekhadnotpassedbeforeMarcobroughttoTheRatintheirbedroomanenvelopecontaininganumberofslipsofpaperoneachofwhichwaswrittensomething。
``Thisisanotherpartofthegame，\'\'hesaidgravely。``Letussitdowntogetherbythetableandstudyit。\'\'
Theysatdownandexaminedwhatwaswrittenontheslips。AttheheadofeachwasthenameofoneoftheplaceswithwhichMarcohadconnectedafacehehadsketched。Belowwereclearandconcisedirectionsastohowitwastobereachedandthewordstobesaidwheneachindividualwasencountered。
``Thispersonistobefoundathisstallinthemarket，\'\'waswrittenofthevacant-facedpeasant。``Youwillfirstattracthisattentionbyaskingthepriceofsomething。Whenheislookingatyou，touchyourleftthumblightlywiththeforefingerofyourrighthand。Thenutterinalowdistincttonethewords`TheLampislighted。\'Thatisallyouaretodo。\'\'
Sometimesthedirectionswerenotquitesosimple，buttheywereallinstructionsofthesameorder。Theoriginalsofthesketchesweretobesoughtout——alwayswithprecautionwhichshouldconcealthattheywerebeingsoughtatall，andalwaysinsuchamanneraswouldcauseanencountertoappeartobemerechance。Thencertainwordsweretobeuttered，butalwayswithoutattractingtheattentionofanybystanderorpasser-by。
Theboysworkedattheirtaskthroughtheentireday。Theyconcentratedalltheirpowersuponit。Theywroteandre-wrote——theyrepeatedtoeachotherwhattheycommittedtomemoryasifitwerealesson。Marcoworkedwiththegreatereaseandmorerapidly，becauseexerciseofthisorderhadbeenhispracticeandentertainmentfromhisbabyhood。TheRat，however，almostkeptpacewithhim，ashehadbeenbornwithaphenomenalmemoryandhiseagernessanddesirewereafury。
Butthroughouttheentiredayneitherofthemoncereferredtowhattheyweredoingasanythingbut``thegame。\'\'
Atnight，itistrue，eachfoundhimselflyingawakeandthinking。ItwasTheRatwhobrokethesilencefromhissofa。
``ItiswhatthemessengersoftheSecretPartywouldbeorderedtodowhentheyweresentouttogivetheSignfortheRising，\'\'
hesaid。``ImadethatupthefirstdayIinventedtheparty，didn\'tI？\'\'
``Yes，\'\'answeredMarco。
Afterathirdday\'sconcentrationtheyknewbyhearteverythinggiventothemtolearn。ThatnightLoristanputthemthroughanexamination。
``Canyouwritethesethings？\'\'heasked，aftereachhadrepeatedthemandemergedsafelyfromallcross-questioning。
Eachboywrotethemcorrectlyfrommemory。
``WriteyoursinFrench——inGerman——inRussian——inSamavian，\'\'
LoristansaidtoMarco。
``Allyouhavetoldmetodoandtolearnispartofmyself，Father，\'\'Marcosaidintheend。``Itispartofme，asifitweremyhandormyeyes——ormyheart。\'\'
``Ibelievethatistrue，\'\'answeredLoristan。
Hewaspalethatnightandtherewasashadowonhisface。HiseyesheldagreatlongingastheyrestedonMarco。Itwasayearningwhichhadasortofdreadinit。
Lazarusalsodidnotseemquitehimself。Hewasredinsteadofpale，andhismovementswereuncertainandrestless。Heclearedhisthroatnervouslyatintervalsandmorethanoncelefthischairasiftolookforsomething。
ItwasalmostmidnightwhenLoristan，standingnearMarco，puthisarmroundhisshoulders。
``TheGame\'\'——hebegan，andthenwassilentafewmomentswhileMarcofelthisarmtightenitshold。BothMarcoandTheRatfeltahardquickbeatintheirbreasts，and，becauseofthisandbecausethepauseseemedlong，Marcospoke。
``TheGame——yes，Father？\'\'hesaid。
``TheGameisabouttogiveyouworktodo——bothofyou，\'\'
Loristananswered。
Lazarusclearedhisthroatandwalkedtotheeaselinthecorneroftheroom。Butheonlychangedthepositionofapieceofdrawing-paperonitandthencameback。
``IntwodaysyouaretogotoParis——asyou，\'\'toTheRat，``plannedinthegame。\'\'
``AsIplanned？\'\'TheRatbarelybreathedthewords。
``Yes，\'\'answeredLoristan。``Theinstructionsyouhavelearnedyouwillcarryout。Thereisnomoretobedonethantomanagetoapproachcertainpersonscloselyenoughtobeabletouttercertainwordstothem。\'\'
``Onlytwoyoungstrollerswhomnomancouldsuspect，\'\'putinLazarusinanastonishinglyroughandshakyvoice。``TheycouldpassneartheEmperorhimselfwithoutdanger。TheyoungMaster——\'\'hisvoicebecamesohoarsethathewasobligatedtoclearitloudly——``theyoungMastermustcarryhimselflessfinely。Itwouldbewelltoshufflealittleandslouchasifhewereofthecommonpeople。\'\'
``Yes，\'\'saidTheRathastily。``Hemustdothat。Icanteachhim。Heholdshisheadandhisshoulderslikeagentleman。Hemustlooklikeastreetlad。\'\'
``Iwilllooklikeone，\'\'saidMarco，withdetermination。
``Iwilltrustyoutoremindhim，\'\'LoristansaidtoTheRat，andhesaiditwithgravity。``Thatwillbeyourcharge。\'\'
Ashelayuponhispillowthatnight，itseemedtoMarcoasifaloadhadlifteditselffromhisheart。Itwastheloadofuncertaintyandlonging。Hehadsolongbornethepainoffeelingthathewastooyoungtobeallowedtoserveinanyway。
Hisdreamshadneverbeenwildones——theyhadinfactalwaysbeenboyishandmodest，howsoeverromantic。Butnownodreamwhichcouldhavepassedthroughhisbrainwouldhaveseemedsowonderfulasthis——thatthehourhadcome——thehourhadcome——andthathe，Marco，wastobeitsmessenger。Hewastodonodramaticdeedandbeannouncedbynoflourishofheralds。Noonewouldknowwhathedid。Whatheachievedcouldonlybeattainedifheremainedobscureandunknownandseemedtoeveryoneonlyacommonordinaryboywhoknewnothingwhateverofimportantthings。Buthisfatherhadgiventohimagiftsosplendidthathetrembledwithaweandjoyashethoughtofit。TheGamehadbecomereal。HeandTheRatweretocarrywiththemTheSign，anditwouldbelikecarryingatinylamptosetaflamelightswhichwouldblazefromonemountain-toptoanotheruntilhalftheworldseemedonfire。
AshehadawakenedoutofhissleepwhenLazarustouchedhim，soheawakenedinthemiddleofthenightagain。Buthewasnotarousedbyatouch。Whenheopenedhiseyesheknewitwasalookwhichhadpenetratedhissleep——alookintheeyesofhisfatherwhowasstandingbyhisside。IntheroadoutsidetherewastheuttersilencehehadnoticedthenightofthePrince\'sfirstvisit——theonlylightwasthatofthelampinthestreet，buthecouldseeLoristan\'sfaceclearlyenoughtoknowthatthemereintensityofhisgazehadawakenedhim。TheRatwassleepingprofoundly。LoristanspokeinSamavianandunderhisbreath。
``Belovedone，\'\'hesaid。``Youareveryyoung。BecauseIamyourfather——justatthishourIcanfeelnothingelse。Ihavetrainedyouforthisthroughalltheyearsofyourlife。Iamproudofyouryoungmaturityandstrengthbut——Beloved——youareachild！CanIdothisthing！\'\'
Forthemoment，hisfaceandhisvoicewerescarcelylikehisown。
Hekneeledbythebedside，and，ashedidit，Marcohalfsittingupcaughthishandandheldithardagainsthisbreast。
``Father，Iknow！\'\'hecriedunderhisbreathalso。``Itistrue。IamachildbutamInotamanalso？Youyourselfsaidit。Ialwaysknewthatyouwereteachingmetobeone——forsomereason。ItwasmysecretthatIknewit。IlearnedwellbecauseIneverforgotit。AndIlearned。DidInot？\'\'
Hewassoeagerthathelookedmorelikeaboythanever。Buthisyoungstrengthandcourageweresplendidtosee。Loristanknewhimthroughandthroughandreadeveryboyishthoughtofhis。
``Yes，\'\'heansweredslowly。``Youdidyourpart——andnowifI——
drewback——youwouldfeelthatIHADFAILEDYOU-FAILEDYOU。\'\'
``You！\'\'Marcobreatheditproudly。``YouCOULDnotfaileventheweakestthingintheworld。\'\'
Therewasamoment\'ssilenceinwhichthetwopairsofeyesdweltoneachotherwiththedeepestmeaning，andthenLoristanrosetohisfeet。
``Theendwillbeallthatourheartsmostwish，\'\'hesaid。
``To-morrowyoumaybeginthenewpartof`theGame。\'YoumaygotoParis。\'\'
WhenthetrainwhichwastomeettheboatthatcrossedfromDovertoCalaissteamedoutofthenoisyCharingCrossStation，itcarriedinathird-classcarriagetwoshabbyboys。Oneofthemwouldhavebeenahandsomeladifhehadnotcarriedhimselfslouchinglyandwalkedwithastreetlad\'scarelessshufflinggait。Theotherwasacripplewhomovedslowly，andapparentlywithdifficulty，oncrutches。Therewasnothingremarkableorpicturesqueenoughaboutthemtoattractattention。Theysatinthecornerofthecarriageandneithertalkedmuchnorseemedtobeparticularlyinterestedinthejourneyoreachother。Whentheywentonboardthesteamer，theyweresoonlostamongthecommonerpassengersandinfactfoundforthemselvesasecludedplacewhichwasnotadvantageousenoughtobewantedbyanyoneelse。
``Whatcansuchapoor-lookingpairofladsbegoingtoParisfor？\'\'someoneaskedhiscompanion。
``Notforpleasure，certainly；perhapstogetwork，\'\'wasthecasualanswer。
IntheeveningtheyreachedParis，andMarcoledthewaytoasmallcafeinaside-streetwheretheygotsomecheapfood。Inthesameside-streettheyfoundabedtheycouldshareforthenightinatinyroomoverabaker\'sshop。
TheRatwastoomuchexcitedtobereadytogotobedearly。HebeggedMarcotoguidehimaboutthebrilliantstreets。TheywentslowlyalongthebroadAvenuedesChampsElyseesunderthelightsglitteringamongthehorse-chestnuttrees。TheRat\'ssharpeyestookitallin——thelightofthecafesamongtheemboweringtrees，themanycarriagesrollingby，thepeoplewholoiteredandlaughedorsatatlittletablesdrinkingwineandlisteningtomusic，thebroadstreamoflifewhichflowedontotheArcdeTriompheandbackagain。
``It\'sbrighterandclearerthanLondon，\'\'hesaidtoMarco。
``ThepeoplelookasiftheywerehavingmorefunthantheydoinEngland。\'\'
ThePlacedelaConcordespreadingitsstatelyspaces——aworldofillumination，movement，andmajesticbeauty——heldhimasthoughbyafascination。Hewantedtostandandstareatit，firstfromonepointofviewandthenfromanother。ItwasbiggerandmorewonderfulthanhehadbeenabletopictureitwhenMarcohaddescribedittohimandtoldhimofthepartithadplayedinthedaysoftheFrenchRevolutionwhentheguillotinehadstoodinitandthetumbrilshademptiedthemselvesatthefootofitssteps。
HestoodneartheObeliskalongtimewithoutspeaking。
``Icanseeitallhappening，\'\'hesaidatlast，andhepulledMarcoaway。
Beforetheyreturnedhome，theyfoundtheirwaytoalargehousewhichstoodinacourtyard。Intheironworkofthehandsomegateswhichshutitinwaswroughtagildedcoronet。Thegateswereclosedandthehousewasnotbrightlylighted。
Theywalkedpastitandrounditwithoutspeaking，but，whentheynearedtheentranceforthesecondtime，TheRatsaidinalowtone：
``Sheisfivefeetseven，hasblackhair，anosewithahighbridge，hereyebrowsareblackandalmostmeetacrossit，shehasapaleoliveskinandholdsherheadproudly。\'\'
``Thatistheone，\'\'Marcoanswered。
TheywereaweekinParisandeachdaypassedthisbighouse。
Therewerecertainhourswhengreatladiesweremorelikelytogooutandcomeinthantheywereatothers。Marcoknewthis，andtheymanagedtobewithinsightofthehouseortopassitatthesehours。Fortwodaystheysawnosignofthepersontheywishedtosee，butonemorningthegateswerethrownopenandtheysawflowersandpalmsbeingtakenin。
``Shehasbeenawayandiscomingback，\'\'saidMarco。Thenextdaytheypassedthreetimes——onceatthehourwhenfashionablewomendriveouttodotheirshopping，onceatthetimewhenafternoonvisitingismostlikelytobegin，andoncewhenthestreetswerebrilliantwithlightsandthecarriageshadbeguntorollbytodinner-partiesandtheaters。
Then，astheystoodatalittledistancefromtheirongates，acarriagedrovethroughthemandstoppedbeforethebigopendoorwhichwasthrownopenbytwotallfootmeninsplendidlivery。
``Sheiscomingout，\'\'saidTheRat。
Theywouldbeabletoseeherplainlywhenshecame，becausethelightsovertheentranceweresobright。
Marcoslippedfromunderhiscoatsleeveacarefullymadesketch。
HelookedatitandTheRatlookedatit。
Afootmanstooderectoneachsideoftheopendoor。Thefootmanwhosatwiththecoachmanhadgotdownandwaswaitingbythecarriage。MarcoandTheRatglancedagainwithfurtivehasteatthesketch。Ahandsomewomanappeareduponthethreshold。Shepausedandgavesomeordertothefootmanwhostoodontheright。
Thenshecameoutinthefulllightandgotintothecarriagewhichdroveoutofthecourtyardandquiteneartheplacewherethetwoboyswaited。
Whenitwasgone，Marcodrewalongbreathashetorethesketchintoverysmallpiecesindeed。Hedidnotthrowthemawaybutputthemintohispocket。
TheRatdrewalongbreathalso。
``Yes，\'\'hesaidpositively。
``Yes，\'\'saidMarco。
Whentheyweresafelyshutupintheirroomoverthebaker\'sshop，theydiscussedthechancesoftheirbeingabletopassherinsuchawayaswouldseemaccidental。Twocommonboyscouldnotenterthecourtyard。Therewasabackentrancefortradespeopleandmessengers。Whenshedrove，shewouldalwaysenterhercarriagefromthesameplace。Unlessshesometimeswalked，theycouldnotapproachher。Whatshouldbedone？Thethingwasdifficult。Aftertheyhadtalkedsometime，TheRatsatandgnawedhisnails。
``To-morrowafternoon，\'\'hebrokeoutatlast，``we\'llwatchandseeifhercarriagedrivesinforher——then，whenshecomestothedoor，I\'llgoinandbegintobeg。TheservantwillthinkI\'maforeigneranddon\'tknowwhatI\'mdoing。Youcancomeaftermetotellmetocomeaway，becauseyouknowbetterthanI
dothatIshallbeorderedout。Shemaybeagood-naturedwomanandlistentous——andyoumightgetnearher。\'\'
``Wemighttryit，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Itmightwork。Wewilltryit。\'\'
TheRatneverfailedtotreathimashisleader。HehadbeggedLoristantolethimcomewithMarcoashisservant，andhisservanthehadbeenmorethanwillingtobe。WhenLoristanhadsaidheshouldbehisaide-de-camp，hehadfelthistrustliftedtoamilitarydignitywhichupliftedhimwithit。Ashisaide-de-camphemustservehim，watchhim，obeyhislightestwish，makeeverythingeasyforhim。Sometimes，Marcowastroubledbythewayinwhichheinsistedonservinghim，thisqueer，oncedictatorialandcantankerousladwhohadbegunbythrowingstonesathim。
``Youmustnotwaitonme，\'\'hesaidtohim。``Imustwaituponmyself。\'\'
TheRatratherflushed。
``Hetoldmethathewouldletmecomewithyouasyouraide-decamp，\'\'hesaid。``It——it\'spartofthegame。Itmakesthingseasierifwekeepupthegame。\'\'
Itwouldhaveattractedattentioniftheyhadspenttoomuchtimeinthevicinityofthebighouse。Soithappenedthatthenextafternoonthegreatladyevidentlydroveoutatanhourwhentheywerenotwatchingforher。Theywereontheirwaytotryiftheycouldcarryouttheirplan，when，astheywalkedtogetheralongtheRueRoyale，TheRatsuddenlytouchedMarco\'selbow。
``Thecarriagestandsbeforetheshopwithlaceinthewindows，\'\'
hewhisperedhurriedly。
Marcosawandrecognizeditatonce。Theownerhadevidentlygoneintotheshoptobuysomething。Thiswasabetterchancethantheyhadhopedfor，and，whentheyapproachedthecarriageitself，theysawthattherewasanotherpointintheirfavor。
InsidewerenolessthanthreebeautifullittlePekingesespanielsthatlookedexactlyalike。Theywerealltryingtolookoutofthewindowandwerepushingagainsteachother。Theyweresoperfectandsoprettythatfewpeoplepassedbywithoutlookingatthem。Whatbetterexcusecouldtwoboyshaveforlingeringaboutaplace？
Theystoppedand，standingalittledistanceaway，begantolookatanddiscussthemandlaughattheirexcitedlittleantics。
Throughtheshop-windowMarcocaughtaglimpseofthegreatlady。
``Shedoesnotlookmuchinterested。Shewon\'tstaylong，\'\'hewhispered，andaddedaloud，``thatlittleoneisthemaster。Seehowhepushestheothersaside！Heisstrongerthantheothertwo，thoughheissosmall。\'\'
``Hecansnap，too，\'\'saidTheRat。
``Sheiscomingnow，\'\'warnedMarco，andthenlaughedaloudasifatthePekingese，which，catchingsightoftheirmistressattheshop-door，begantoleapandyelpforjoy。
Theirmistressherselfsmiled，andwassmilingasMarcodrewnearher。
``Maywelookatthem，Madame？\'\'hesaidinFrench，and，asshemadeanamiablegestureofacquiescenceandmovedtowardthecarriagewithhim，hespokeafewwords，verylowbutverydistinctly，inRussian。
``TheLampislighted，\'\'hesaid。
TheRatwaslookingatherkeenly，buthedidnotseeherfacechangeatall。WhathenoticedmostthroughouttheirjourneywasthateachpersontowhomtheygavetheSignhadcompletecontroloverhisorhercountenance，iftherewerebystanders，andneverbetrayedbyanychangeofexpressionthatthewordsmeantanythingunusual。
Thegreatladymerelywentonsmiling，andspokeonlyofthedogs，allowingMarcoandhimselftolookatthemthroughthewindowofthecarriageasthefootmanopenedthedoorforhertoenter。
``Theyarebeautifullittlecreatures，\'\'Marcosaid，liftinghiscap，and，asthefootmanturnedaway，heutteredhisfewRussianwordsoncemoreandmovedoffwithoutevenglancingattheladyagain。
``ThatisONE！\'\'hesaidtoTheRatthatnightbeforetheywenttosleep，andwithamatchheburnedthescrapsofthesketchhehadtornandputintohispocket。
XX
MARCOGOESTOTHEOPERA
TheirnextjourneywastoMunich，butthenightbeforetheyleftParisanunexpectedthinghappened。
Toreachthenarrowstaircasewhichledtotheirbedroomitwasnecessarytopassthroughthebaker\'sshopitself。
Thebaker\'swifewasafriendlywomanwholikedthetwoboylodgerswhoweresoquietandgavenotrouble。Morethanonceshehadgiventhemahotrollorsoorafreshlybakedlittletartletwithfruitinthecenter。WhenMarcocameinthisevening，shegreetedhimwithanodandhandedhimasmallparcelashepassedthrough。
``Thiswasleftforyouthisafternoon，\'\'shesaid。``Iseeyouaremakingpurchasesforyourjourney。MymanandIareverysorryyouaregoing。\'\'
``Thankyou，Madame。Wealsoaresorry，\'\'Marcoanswered，takingtheparcel。``Theyarenotlargepurchases，yousee。\'\'
ButneitherhenorTheRathadboughtanythingatall，thoughtheordinary-lookinglittlepackagewasplainlyaddressedtohimandborethenameofoneofthebigcheapshops。Itfeltasifitcontainedsomethingsoft。
Whenhereachedtheirbedroom，TheRatwasgazingoutofthewindowwatchingeverylivingthingwhichpassedinthestreetbelow。HewhohadneverseenanythingbutLondonwasabsorbedbythespellofParisandwaslearningitbyheart。
``Somethinghasbeensenttous。Lookatthis，\'\'saidMarco。
TheRatwasathissideatonce。``Whatisit？Wherediditcomefrom？\'\'
Theyopenedthepackageandatfirstsightsawonlyseveralpairsofquitecommonwoolensocks。AsMarcotookupthesockinthemiddleoftheparcel，hefeltthattherewassomethinginsideit——somethinglaidflatandcarefully。Heputhishandinanddrewoutanumberoffive-francnotes——notnewones，becausenewoneswouldhavebetrayedthemselvesbycrackling。Thesewereoldenoughtobesoft。Buttherewereenoughofthemtoamounttoasubstantialsum。
``Itisinsmallnotesbecausepoorboyswouldhaveonlysmallones。Noonewillbesurprisedwhenwechangethese，\'\'TheRatsaid。
Eachofthembelievedthepackagehadbeensentbythegreatlady，butithadbeendonesocarefullythatnottheslightestcluewasfurnished。
ToTheRat，partofthedeepexcitementof``theGame\'\'wastheworkingoutoftheplansandmethodsofeachpersonconcerned。
Hecouldnothavesleptwithoutworkingoutsomeschemewhichmighthavebeenusedinthiscase。Itthrilledhimtocontemplatethedifficultiesthegreatladymighthavefoundherselfobligedtoovercome。
``Perhaps，\'\'hesaid，afterthinkingitoverforsometime，``shewenttoabigcommonshopdressedasifshewereanordinarywomanandboughtthesocksandpretendedshewasgoingtocarrythemhomeherself。Shewoulddothatsothatshecouldtakethemintosomecornerandslipthemoneyin。Then，asshewantedtohavethemsentfromtheshop，perhapssheboughtsomeotherthingsandaskedthepeopletodeliverthepackagestodifferentplaces。Thesocksweresenttousandtheotherthingstosomeoneelse。Shewouldgotoashopwherenooneknewherandnoonewouldexpecttoseeherandshewouldwearclotheswhichlookedneitherrichnortoopoor。\'\'
HecreatedthewholeepisodewithallitsdetailsandexplainedthemtoMarco。Itfascinatedhimfortheentireeveningandhefeltrelievedafteritandsleptwell。
EvenbeforetheyhadleftLondon，certainnewspapershadsweptoutofexistencethestoryofthedescendantoftheLostPrince。
Thishadbeendonebyderisionandlighthandling——bytreatingitasaromanticlegend。
Atfirst，TheRathadresentedthisbitterly，butonedayatameal，whenhehadbeenproducingargumentstoprovethatthestorymustbeatrueone，Loristansomehowcheckedhimbyhisownsilence。
``Ifthereissuchaman，\'\'hesaidafterapause，``itiswellforhimthathisexistenceshouldnotbebelievedin——forsometimeatleast。\'\'
TheRatcametoadeadstop。Hefelthotforamomentandthenfeltcold。Hesawanewideaallatonce。Hehadbeenmakingamistakeintactics。
Nomorewassaidbut，whentheywerealoneafterwards，hepouredhimselfforthtoMarco。
``Iwasafool！\'\'hecriedout。``Whycouldn\'tIseeitformyself！ShallItellyouwhatIbelievehasbeendone？ThereissomeonewhohasinfluenceinEnglandandwhoisafriendtoSamavia。They\'vegotthenewspaperstomakefunofthestorysothatitwon\'tbebelieved。Ifitwasbelieved，boththeIarovitchandtheMaranovitchwouldbeonthelookout，andtheSecretPartywouldlosetheirchances。WhatafoolIwasnottothinkofit！There\'ssomeonewatchingandworkingherewhoisafriendtoSamavia。\'\'
``ButthereissomeoneinSamaviawhohasbeguntosuspectthatitmightbetrue，\'\'Marcoanswered。``Iftherewerenot，I
shouldnothavebeenshutinthecellar。Someonethoughtmyfatherknewsomething。Thespieshadorderstofindoutwhatitwas。\'\'
``Yes。Yes。That\'strue，too！\'\'TheRatansweredanxiously。
``Weshallhavetobeverycareful。\'\'
IntheliningofthesleeveofMarco\'scoattherewasaslitintowhichhecouldslipanysmallthinghewishedtoconcealandalsowishedtobeabletoreachwithouttrouble。InthishehadcarriedthesketchoftheladywhichhehadtornupinParis。
WhentheywalkedinthestreetsofMunich，themorningaftertheirarrival，hecarriedstillanothersketch。Itwastheonepicturingthegenial-lookingoldaristocratwiththeslysmile。
Oneofthethingstheyhadlearnedaboutthisonewasthathischiefcharacteristicwashispassionformusic。HewasapatronofmusiciansandhespentmuchtimeinMunichbecauseheloveditsmusicalatmosphereandtheearnestnessofitsopera-goers。
``ThemilitarybandplaysintheFeldherrn-halleatmidday。Whensomethingverygoodisbeingplayed，sometimespeoplestoptheircarriagessothattheycanlisten。Wewillgothere，\'\'saidMarco。
``It\'sachance，\'\'saidTheRat。``Wemustn\'tloseanythinglikeachance。\'\'
Thedaywasbrilliantandsunny，thepeoplepassingthroughthestreetslookedcomfortableandhomely，themixtureofoldstreetsandmodernones，ofancientcornersandshopsandhousesofthedaywaspicturesqueandcheerful。TheRatswingingthroughthecrowdonhiscrutcheswasfullofinterestandexhilaration。Hehadbeguntogrow，andthechangeinhisfaceandexpressionwhichhadbeguninLondonhadbecomemorenoticeable。Hehadbeengivenhis``place，\'\'andaworktodowhichentitledhimtoholdit。
Noonecouldhavesuspectedthemofcarryingastrangeandvitalsecretwiththemastheystrolledalongtogether。Theyseemedonlytwoordinaryboyswholookedinatshopwindowsandtalkedovertheircontents，andwholoiteredwithupturnedfacesintheMarien-PlatzbeforetheornateGothicRathaustoheartheeleveno\'clockchimesplayandseethepaintedfiguresoftheKingandQueenwatchfromtheirbalconythepassingbeforethemoftheautomatictournamentprocessionwithitstrumpetersandtiltingknights。Whentheshowwasoverandtheautomaticcockbrokeforthintohislustyfarewellcrow，theylaughedjustasanyotherboyswouldhavelaughed。SometimesitwouldhavebeeneasyforTheRattoforgetthattherewasanythinggraverintheworldthanthenewplacesandnewwondershewasseeing，asifhewereawanderingminstrelinastory。
ButinSamaviabloodybattleswerebeingfought，andbloodyplanswerebeingwroughtout，andinanguishedanxietytheSecretPartyandtheForgersoftheSwordwaitedbreathlesslyfortheSignforwhichtheyhadwaitedsolong。AndinsidetheliningofMarco\'scoatwashiddenthesketchedface，asthetwounnoticedladsmadetheirwaytotheFeldherrn-halletohearthebandplayandseewhomightchancetobeamongtheaudience。
Becausethedaywassunny，andalsobecausethebandwasplayingaspeciallyfineprogramme，thecrowdinthesquarewaslargerthanusual。Severalvehicleshadstopped，andamongthemwereoneortwowhichwerenotmerelyhiredcabsbutwerethecarriagesofprivatepersons。
Oneofthemhadevidentlyarrivedearly，asitwasdrawnupinagoodpositionwhentheboysreachedthecorner。Itwasabigopencarriageandagrandone，luxuriouslyupholsteredingreen。
Thefootmanandcoachmanworegreenandsilverliveriesandseemedtoknowthatpeoplewerelookingatthemandtheirmaster。
Hewasastout，genial-lookingoldaristocratwithaslysmile，though，ashelistenedtothemusic，italmostforgottobesly。
Inthecarriagewithhimwereayoungofficerandalittleboy，andtheyalsolistenedattentively。Standingnearthecarriagedoorwereseveralpeoplewhowereplainlyfriendsoracquaintances，astheyoccasionallyspoketohim。MarcotouchedTheRat\'scoatsleeveasthetwoboysapproached。
``Itwouldnotbeeasytogetnearhim，\'\'hesaid。``Letusgoandstandasclosetothecarriageaswecangetwithoutpushing。
Perhapswemayhearsomeonesaysomethingaboutwhereheisgoingafterthemusicisover。\'\'
Yes，therewasnomistakinghim。Hewastherightman。Eachofthemknewbyheartthecreasesonhisstoutfaceandthesweepofhisgraymoustache。Buttherewasnothingnoticeableinaboylookingforamomentatapieceofpaper，andMarcosaunteredafewstepstoabitofspaceleftbarebythecrowdandtookalastglanceathissketch。Hisrulewastomakesureatthefinalmoment。Themusicwasverygoodandthegroupaboutthecarriagewasevidentlyenthusiastic。Therewastalkandpraiseandcomment，andtheoldaristocratnoddedhisheadrepeatedlyinapplause。
``TheChancellorismusicmad，\'\'alooker-onneartheboyssaidtoanother。``Attheoperaeverynightunlessseriousaffairskeephimaway！Thereyoumayseehimnoddinghisoldheadandburstinghisgloveswithapplaudingwhenagoodthingisdone。